Articles

I can only imagine how being a good mother has got to be one of the most difficult jobs for anyone to take on because you place your children’s needs in front of your own. Therefore, defining a “good mother” equates to being selfless to her own desires; however, a new mom needs to make time to take care of herself, too. New moms need to realize that they would only be better at being moms if they were more physically and mentally fit. While these moms may have zero time for themselves – there are plenty of exercises they can do at home, actually with their infant, to benefit their health. Enclosed are three exercises for new moms to perform to help get their workout in without having to leave the comfort of their own home or little ones. 

This can be a very real challenge to have, especially when you first start working with a new client and you haven’t developed that client/trainer relationship yet.  Not knowing how your client ticks could make it difficult to differentiate between an overtrained person and someone who is simply training hard.

Overtraining is defined as excessive frequency, volume, or intensity of training over an extended period of time, resulting in fatigue (which is also due to a lack of proper rest or recovery).  It can cause significant performance decreases in clients of all training levels.  If you have your client on a realistic, properly designed program and you suspect him or her of being overtrained – or, more likely, of ‘overreaching’ – it could potentially be due to their lack of self-care (sleep, nutrition, hydration, etc.) outside of the time spent with you.

This can be a very tricky subject as there are standard guidelines on what a Certified Personal Trainer can and can’t discuss (or do) with their clients.  These particular guidelines are based upon where you live as well as well you work. In some states you need at least a two (2) year degree, in others you need a Bachelor’s Degree, a certificate or be a Dietitian, and of course in other states (or gyms), you need nothing.

The best ways to advise your clients is to stay in a “Safe Zone” of nutrition.  What this means is that when you’re advising, make sure you’re doing it with your client’s best interest at heart and that the program that you put them on, does not have a counter effect on what they’re currently doing and or eating.

Beyond the regular weekly training session(s), it’s important for the fitness professional to be aware of any other exercise activity in which their client is also participating daily. It’s critical that the fitness professional and client share an honest, open approach with consistent communication to achieve success together in reaching the client’s fitness goals. Without this trusting understanding, the fitness professional and client will not be able to achieve success together. Therefore, having all of the personal information below will help the fitness professional design the best-customized routine for their client: